1.—The weather was very mild at this date. “That 1888 will be noted as an extraordinary year in the meteorological annals of this country is a fact requiring no demonstration—snow in harvest and blossoming primroses in the open air on the eve of December, February rains throughout the summer months, and March gales in November.” A correspondent, writing to “The Times,” on December 3rd, stated: “I am still supplied with green peas grown in my garden at Brundall, the roses are all in flower; the fields abound in primroses and wild flowers.” The cuckoo was said to have been heard at North Elmham on December 6th. In Norwich primroses and other vernal flowers were in full bloom on Christmas eve, and strawberries were gathered at Swainsthorpe on Christmas morning.
5.—The Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales arrived at Didlington Hall on a visit to Mr. W. A. Tyssen Amherst, M.P., and left on the 8th.
10.—Lieut.-Colonel Foster was presented with a gold watch, subscribed for by past and present members of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, on his retirement from the corps, after twenty-five years’ service.
22.—A public inquiry was held at the Guildhall Norwich, by Mr. Charles Chapman, Assistant Commissioner under the Royal Commission on market rates and tolls, into the circumstances of markets and fairs in the city. Statements were made by many of the leading citizens. A similar inquiry was held at Yarmouth.
29.—The Norfolk County Club, whose quarters were originally at the Royal Hotel, and subsequently in St. Giles’ Street, having purchased the old Bank House, Upper King Street, Norwich, the reconstruction of the premises for the purposes of the club was completed on this date under the superintendence of Mr. Edward Boardman. The house was formerly the residence of Mr. Anthony Hudson, and was afterwards known as Greyfriars’ College.
31.—Mr. Henry Birkbeck, on the completion of the fiftieth year of his connection with the banking-house of Gurneys, Birkbecks, Barclay, and Buxtons, “the Norwich and Norfolk Bank,” was presented by the managers and clerks with a silver salver in commemoration of the event.
1889.
JANUARY.
3.—The Norfolk magistrates met at the Shirehall, Norwich, for the last time for the discharge of the general business of the county. Mr. J. R. Bulwer, Q.C., presided. On the motion of Sir Francis Boileau, Bart., seconded by Mr. C. S. Read, a vote of thanks was accorded to the senior Chairman, Mr. R. T. Gurdon, “for the impartial, courteous, and punctual manner in which he has discharged the various duties appertaining to the office of Chairman during the eighteen years in which he has with marked ability presided over this Court.” One of the last acts of the Court was to grant to the Under-Sheriff (Mr. Hales) the sum of £700 towards the expenses of the County Council elections, which took place on January 24th. The first meeting of the Norfolk Provisional County Council was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, on February 7th. Mr. Gurdon was elected provisional chairman by 37 votes against 18 recorded for Lord Kimberley. After the election of aldermen the meeting was adjourned until February 16th, when Mr. Gurdon was elected permanent Chairman by 53 votes against 20 polled by Lord Kimberley. Lord Walsingham was elected Vice-Chairman. It was reported that the cost of the elections was £3,308 4s. 6d. The first meeting of the fully-constituted Council took place at the Shirehall on April 13th; and on December 14th it adopted a comprehensive scheme for the management of the main roads of the county.
—A regimental ball, given by the officers of the 20th Hussars, took place at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.